Description
These Cranberry Meatballs are a delightful fusion of savory and sweet flavors, combining juicy baked beef meatballs with a tangy cranberry glaze. Perfect as an appetizer or a main dish, this recipe offers a straightforward baking method that yields tender, flavorful meatballs coated in a rich sauce that’s ideal for holiday gatherings or cozy dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
Meatballs
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 cup onion, finely chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cranberry Glaze
- 1 can (14 oz) jellied cranberry sauce
- 1/2 cup chili sauce
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare baking sheet: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure easy cleanup.
- Make meatball mixture: In a large bowl, mix together the ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, finely chopped onion, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until all ingredients are well combined and evenly distributed.
- Shape meatballs: Roll the mixture into 1-inch meatballs, shaping them tightly to hold together, and arrange them evenly on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake meatballs: Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the meatballs are browned on the outside and fully cooked through in the center.
- Prepare cranberry glaze: While the meatballs bake, combine the jellied cranberry sauce, chili sauce, brown sugar, and Worcestershire sauce in a medium saucepan. Stir the mixture over medium heat until the sauce is smooth and warmed through.
- Coat meatballs in glaze: Transfer the baked meatballs into the saucepan with the cranberry glaze and gently stir to evenly coat each meatball with the sauce.
- Simmer to meld flavors: Let the meatballs simmer in the cranberry glaze for an additional 5-10 minutes over low to medium heat, allowing the flavors to blend and the sauce to thicken slightly.
- Serve: Serve the cranberry meatballs warm, optionally garnished with fresh parsley for a pop of color and freshness. Enjoy this sweet and savory treat!
Notes
- For a lower-fat version, substitute ground turkey or chicken for ground beef.
- Use gluten-free breadcrumbs to make this recipe gluten-free.
- Meatballs can be prepared a day ahead and reheated in the cranberry sauce before serving.
- Adjust the sweetness of the cranberry glaze by adding more or less brown sugar according to taste.
- These meatballs freeze well; freeze cooked meatballs separately from the sauce and combine when reheating.
